EU Speaking Points - Ad Hoc Working Group on GA Revitalization

Ad Hoc Working Group on GA Revitalization, 6th Session; Statement by Minister Axel Marschik, Deputy Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union.

Distinguished Co-chairs,

• On behalf of the European Union I would like to thank you for convening this thematic debate devoted to the GA's role in the election of the UN Secretary General.

• The EU welcomes this debate and hopes that it might serve as a timely contribution to efforts of revitalizing and strengthening the GA.

• Let me briefly comment on this important topic within the framework of GA revitalization.

Role of the General Assembly in the election of the Secretary General

• The selection of the Secretary General is of particular importance for both, an effective United Nations and the entire international community. Undoubtedly, the responsibilities are huge. The Secretary General, besides being the UN's "Chief Administrative Officer", discharges also duties of a political nature according to Article 98 and Article 99 of the UN Charter. Therefore, the selected Secretary General should meet a broad set of qualities and qualifications that would enable him to effectively fulfill all his/her challenging functions.

• In particular he/she should be a strong leader, a skilled mediator who can prevent or moderate international conflicts and an experienced manager. As the first promoter of the UN agenda and priorities in the fields of human rights, development, international peace and security, he/she should have diplomatic skills and profound experiences in international affairs and a demonstrated vision for an effective UN. He/she should be of moral courage and resist undue pressure, honoring the principles of independence, fairness, and integrity.

Mr./Ms. Co-chair,

• Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations states that the "Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council" thereby underlining that both, the GA and the Security Council, have vital and complementary roles to play in the steps leading to the selection of the Secretary General.

• Guidance on the selection process has been specified in GA res. 11(1946) and has been updated in GA res. 51/241 adopted in 1997. The latter resolution stipulates inter alia, that the selection of the Secretary General should be more transparent, that the duration of the next Secretary General's term or terms of appointment should be reconsidered, that the President of the GA may identify potential candidates and forward those results to the Security Council and that due regard should be given to geographical rotation and to gender equality.

• Our efforts here today are to find ways to revitalize the GA. One way of achieving this is to explore means how to enable the GA to better play its role in this selection process in accordance with the Charter and taking into account relevant General Assembly resolutions. The EU stands ready for this undertaking.

• With the objective of a more transparent, inclusive and open consultation process the EU believes that the Canadian proposals contain some interesting perspectives which, inter alia, through an appropriate and informal framework would enable the Member States of the UN to develop the knowledge about the candidates, their qualities and qualifications sufficient to allow it to exercise its judgment in an informed and responsible way.

• The EU shares the view that increased transparency and openness of the election process does and should not curtail the Security Council's role, as stipulated in the UN Charter.

• We would further welcome the selection process to be completed in due course in order to provide the incoming Secretary General with an appropriate period for transition.

• The EU encourages the GA and the Security Council to reflect on how best to ensure a smooth, effective and more transparent election process with the view of reaching an understanding. In this regard the EU notes with interest the monthly meetings of the President of Security Council and the President of General Assembly, since last February.

Mr./Ms. Co-chair,

• Finally, this debate is perhaps a good moment to pause and reflect on the exemplary role our current Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has set for future incumbents of this post: Wisdom and humility, foresight together with a sense for the imperative, tenacity in the pursuit of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and commitment for the alleviation of poverty and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all are but some of the most outstanding characteristics of Mr. Annan. Indeed, the challenge to find future Secretary Generals who can live up to this example is not a minor one.

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• EU Speaking Points - GA Revitalization  (6/6/2006)
• EU Speaking Points - Ad Hoc Working Group on GA Revitalization (6/4/2006)
• EU Speaking Points - GA Revitalization (3/3/2006)
• Directory of the Austrian Mission to the United Nations (1/1/2006)
• Calendar of Austrian Presidency January - June 2006 (1/1/2006)